Legionella Awareness

Overview

Legionnaires’ disease is a form of pneumonia caused by the bacterium Legionella pnuemophila. The disease was first identified after a convention of the American Legion in Philadelphia in 1976, resulting in 12 deaths. Legionnaires' disease is one of a group of diseases with those most at risk including smokers, alcoholics, and people suffering from cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory or kidney disease. Healthy people can also be infected. Legionella bacteria are widespread in natural sources of water including rivers, streams, ponds and may even be found in soil. They are also found in many recirculating and hot and cold water systems. Outbreaks of Legionella disease have occurred in or near large building complexes such as hotels, hospitals, offices and factories. Cooling towers such as those that form part of an air conditioning system can represent a particular hazard because they readily generate fine water droplets and there is an air current to carry them away.

Course Objectives

On completion, delegates will:

have a better understanding of where Legionella occurs.

identify those at risk.

be aware of the conditions in which Legionella thrives.

be aware of preventative measures to combat Legionella Disease.

know the legal duties and what to do in the event of an outbreak.

Course Content

Legionella pneumophila Habitat

Preventing Legionnaires’ disease

The Law and Legionella

The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations (2002)

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